#28: Offline Journal Newsletter : December 2021

Rites & Traces

Rites & Traces is a new exhibition by photographer and artist Robert Greetham which opened on 22 November 2021 and runs until 28 January 2022 in the School of Art in Aberystwyth. Featuring over fifty prints in both colour and black & white, the work represents Robert’s photographic interest in art, sculpture and architecture over forty years - with the most recent work focussing on the Semana Santa religious processions in Spain between 2004 and 2019.

A number of supporters of Offline will recall Robert’s insightful Offline Essay (No.4, October 2020) on the early ffotoview magazine published quarterly in Wales in the early 1980’s and his role as editor of all twelve issues bar the first.

“Many years ago I came across Cristina García Rodero's book España Oculta, where she depicted the customs, religious festivals and fiestas of Spain. They conveyed something altogether deeper and more mysterious than is usually associated with life in the latter part of the twentieth century. With these images in mind I have returned to Spain over a period of fifteen years to photograph Semana Santa or Holy Week celebrated every Easter. In cities such as Seville and Malaga thousands of people take part in highly formalised processions which are as opulent as they are moving. One of the most striking features of the processions are the penitents; tall hooded figures whose identities remain unknown. Although their conical hoods or capirote are worn to symbolise humility, mourning and as their name suggests, penance, they are nevertheless mysterious and occasionally forbidding presences who not only demonstrate the continuity of the past within the present but also the enduring power of ritual, tradition and faith”. - Robert Greetham

As planned, accompanying the Rites & Traces exhibition is a book of the same name and designed by the photographer. Printed as a small edition, this impressive 210 x 275mm softcover book, like the exhibition, features two bodies of artistic work over 204-pages.

Rites: Semana Santa, Málaga 2004-2019

Traces: Cyprus, France, Italy, Spain & Wales 1978-1996

Limited copies of Robert Greetham’s Rites & Traces book should be available to purchase online in coming weeks and I will update this post with relevant information when they become available.

Copies of his 4-page Offline Essay are still available via the Offline store where there is currently a special essay bundle offer while stocks last.

There’s more…

Having a long association with the Art School in Aberystwyth, Robert also has an expert knowledge on the extensive collection of Italian fine art photography held in its collection. So alongside his own exhibition, he has curated a second show titled CONTATTI RICORDATI / CONNECTIONS REMEMBERED: SELECTED ITALIAN PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE SCHOOL OF ART COLLECTION which includes work by Mario Giacomelli, Carlo Bevilacqua, Ferruccio Leiss and Elio Ciol. The exhibition runs alongside Rites & Traces from 22 November 2021 - 28 January 2022 in the same location.

Buy or Subscribe to the printed Offline Journal

Single copies or 2-issue Subscriptions are still available for Offline Journal issues #007 + #008 to be published in April 2022. Order now and receive your copy of the few remaining issue #007 on the theme of ‘The Print’

Photography Exhibitions in Wales

(if you’re aware of any others showing now or planned in coming months, please leave a comment or email me).

NICK TREHARNE: A PORTRAIT OF WALES
Nick Treharne
19 July - 22 April 2022
National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth
www.library.wales

POBL / PEOPLE:
PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE NATIONAL COLLECTION
Various / Documentary
18 September - 23 April 2022
Riverside Gallery, Haverfordwest
www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/the-riverside

BLACK COUNTRY DADA
Brian Griffin
1 October - 30 January 2022
Oriel Colwyn, Colwyn Bay
www.orielcolwyn.org

Oriel Colwyn has recently formed THE PHOTO FILM CLUB - screening a photography-based film or documentary on a Saturday afternoon every six weeks or so in the Theatr Colwyn cinema located below the gallery.

McCULLIN
8th January 2022 at 4pm (doors 3.30pm)
Theatr Colwyn, Colwyn Bay
www.orielcolwyn.org/tpfc-2

DAVID HURN: SWAPS
David Hurn / Various
23 October - 27 March 2022
National Museum Wales, Cardiff
www.museum.wales

PRINTS FOR MARK / ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE
Prints by Cinematographers & Photographers
A unique exhibition of prints - and others featured in a 2022 Calendar - supporting the work of the Mark Milsome Foundation
25 November - 24 December 2021
Thru The Lens Gallery, Hay-on-Wye
www.thruthelens.photography

CHRISTMAS EXHIBITION
Various Artists (incl. photography by Zoe Mathias)
17 November - 24 December 2021
Found Gallery, Brecon
www.foundgallery.co.uk

RITES & RITUALS
Robert Greetham
22 November 2021 - 28 January 2022
School of Art Gallery & Museum, Aberystwyth

CONTATTI RICORDATI / CONNECTIONS REMEMBERED:
Selected Italian photographs from the School of Art Collection
22 November 2021 - 28 January 2022
School of Art Gallery & Museum, Aberystwyth
www.aber.ac.uk/en/art/gallery-museum

CARROT FLY
Ron McCormick
26 November - 23 January 2022
Ffoto Newport, Newport
On Facebook

GOLDEN VALLEY FACES
Richard Jenkins / Historical photographs
8 January - 13 February 2022
Thru The Lens Gallery, Hay-on-Wye
www.thruthelens.photography

CITY STORIES
Pete Davis: Cardiff 1969 - 1977
26 April - 21 May 2022
Found Gallery, Brecon
www.foundgallery.co.uk